Jim Salisbury of CSN is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a contract with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. Terms of the contract are undisclosed at this point.
Papelbon, 30, finished 2011 sporting a 2.94 ERA alongside 31 saves in 64 1/3 innings for Boston. The four-time All-Star and 2007 World Series champion leaves Beantown with 219 saves in seven seasons, bringing a somewhat controversial stay to a conclusion.
The Phillies had reportedly been heavily engaged in talks with former closer Ryan Madson, and at one point, it was said the two sides had agreed to a four-year deal worth over $40 million. That, however, fell through over certain discrepancies. No word on whether the Phillies will attempt to re-sign Madson, though that is unlikely at this point.
Madson had what many considered to be a career-year in Philly in 2011, as he closed 32 games and struck out 62, while sporting a 2.37 ERA.
It is also expected that Papelbon too has received a four-year contract, though nothing is confirmed. The deal is said to be pending a physical.
UPDATE: Salisbury says the deal will in fact be a four-year contract, approaching $50 million.
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